The family of a young mother-of-two who endured a troubled childhood and adulthood will never know for certain what caused the 20 year old's sudden death.

Govinda Kay, who had been living in supported housing in Alexandra House in Imperial Road, Exmouth, was found dead slumped over her bed by her aunt and a security guard on April 2, 2018.

Govinda Kay died in her room in Exmouth (Image: Premiership Rugby)

Having had a history of drug use and mental health problems, it was initially treated as a suspected drugs death.

However, a post mortem examination and toxicology reports were unable to pinpoint what caused her death.

An inquest at Exeter’s County Hall today heard Govinda, who was named winner of HITZ Best Rugby Performer Award supported by Premiership Rugby in 2016, had spent part of her childhood in foster care, struggled with her mental health and found relationships difficult.

Watch the video above and below to hear from Govinda after she won the award

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At the beginning of 2018 she had two mental health assessments and the month before her death was referred by her GP to receive a formal diagnosis. However, staff shortages meant she was waiting for the appointment before her death.

The day before she was found dead in her room she visited her mother, Claire O’Sullivan who cares for Govinda's eldest daughter.

She recalled in a statement: “I thought she looked a lot better than she had done recently.”

Giving an insight into her life, she said Govinda had two children who were taken into care, and said: “Govinda had a troubled childhood and adulthood and used drugs.”

She added: “She wore wig as she would self-harm by pulling hair out and would cut her legs and arms.”

Mrs O’ Sullivan also told how she had received a number of text messages from an unknown number at around 3.10am on the morning of the day Govinda’s body was found with the general theme she was asking for help but they did not make sense.

She said: “It did not seem right and part of me felt something was not right”.

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Mental health assessments described how Govinda had endured “very traumatic experiences” which had impacted on her mental health causing her much distress, but she had been looking forward to receiving help to deal with it.

Addiction support service RISE told in a statement how she had a lack of insight into her substance misuse, including legal highs, and was unwilling to stop taking them which made it very difficult for her to engage with them.

Govinda Kay was the mother of two children (Image: Premiership Rugby)

Despite an extensive post-mortem examination, the cause of Govinda’s death could not be established.

A number of possibilities were given, such as the use of prescription drugs which taken together which may have caused sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), also known as sudden adult death syndrome which would not have shown up in the examination.

Another possibility given was the sedating effects of prescription drugs and cannabis, which were found during the autopsy, and may have compromised her airway.

Forensic pathologist Dr Sarah Saunders assured the family there were sign of foul play or natural disease. A toxicology report found no traces of alcohol or opiates, but traces of cocaine and cannabis which were taken at some point before her death.

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Dr Saunders said: “From all the evidence in front of me we did not have clear idea what killed her, but I’m confident she was not killed and she did not kill herself at her own hand.

“I feel disappointed and sorry not to be able to give you a definite cause of death.”

Recording an open conclusion, coroner Philip Spinney, addressing Govinda’s family, said: “It’s always upsetting for families to leave without having some questions answered, but I hope you feel it has been a full and fair enquiry to establish the facts.”

Paying tribute to her daughter after the inquest, Mrs O’Sullivan said: “She was very passionate about her children. She was a loving daughter, niece and granddaughter and I know she was not ready to die.”